HONITON Railway Station is to undergo a further phase of improvements - to ensure it is a facility the town can be proud of.

The second phase of £1.4 million works at the station will provide a brighter, enlarged booking hall, as well as new toilets and changing facilities and a retail unit.

Expressions of interest for the shop are already being expressed.

Both platforms are to be fitted with accessible ramps to make it easier for all passengers to use the station.

The project, funded by South West Trains, Devon County Council, Network Rail and the National Station Improvement Programme, aims to make the station more accessible.

Additional cycling facilities, equipped with shelters and CCTV, are part of South West Trains’ commitment to deliver greener travel and provide over 1,000 new bike spaces by spring next year.

“We are pleased to be delivering this significant project with our partners to provide a much improved and brighter station for Honiton’s passengers,” said South West Trains’ estate project manager, Angela Mollo.

“We are committed to improving passengers’ travel experience so that their rail journey will be comfortable, convenient and east.

“We hope the new 21st century Honiton station will encourage more people to try the train.

“I am sure passengers will be very proud of their new look station for years to come.”

The improvement works will be carried out with minimal disruption to passengers and steps are being taken to keep the station open at all times during the works.

County councillor Stuart Hughes said: “Already, the new hourly service has attracted increasing numbers of travellers and these additional features should encourage more people, in particular cyclists, to think about the train as an alternative means of transport.”